35th Skyscraper Harlem Cycling Classic
Harlem Rocks! - New York City’s Oldest Bicycle Race Gets Live TV and New Sponsors
Rock Racing Titles Harlem, Saab and WCSN Present 35th Anniversary Event

Rock Racing is the new title sponsor of the venerated Skyscraper Harlem Cycling Classic, it was announced today. The 35th anniversary edition will be be held on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 15th, at Marcus Garvey Park, 5th Avenue and 121st Streets, in New York City.

Race Start Times:
Women's Pro Race 3 PM Eastern Time
Men's Pro Race 4 PM Eastern Time

“Harlem Rocks” will be the theme of the free event, a stop on the USA Crits racing series. World Championship Sports Network (WCSN), the premier destination for fans of Olympic and lifestyle sports, will kick off Harlem’s first-ever live televised racing coverage. Saab joins as the “Harlem Rocks” official automobile and sponsor of the “Saab Leader of Most Laps” competition.

Rock Racing team owner Michael Ball said it was important for Rock Racing to support an event that has annually brought world class cycling talent to one of the nation's longest-standing African-American cultural and business centers. "The Harlem Cycling Classic fits perfectly with our mission of giving back to the community and making a difference," Ball said. "Rock Racing is proud to be a sponsor of such a great race that has a rich history in the annals of American bicycle racing."

The classic .75-mile, four-corner criterium (or short-course cycling event) course is perfect for showcasing the fast and dynamic action that characterizes content favored by television sponsor WCSN.

“Partnering with the Skyscraper Harlem Cycling Classic is a natural fit for WCSN and we are excited in being the first to broadcast this event to a global audience, said David Qualls, VP Production Operations and Business Development.” With our expanding reach and distribution online and on television, cycling fans across the world will have a chance to tune in.”

Live Coverage on WCSN
Live coverage of Harlem Rocks will be available for free on WCSN TV and to a worldwide audience via WCSN’s broadband network www.wcsn.com  Spectators will enjoy the live coverage on a jumbotron positioned just beyond the start/finish line on West Mt. Morris Avenue and 121st Street.

The Skyscraper Harlem Cycling Classic boasts a rich and respected history. Founded in 1973 by David A. Walker, a former Community Affairs Officer for the New York City Police Department, the event has always mixed community service with high-level professional racing. Over the past 35-years, Mr. Walker has given away hundreds of bicycles to winners of the children’s races that traditionally kick off the day’s activities at 12:00 noon.

On the professional side, the list of winners reads like a who’s who of the North American racing circuit. George Hincapie, famed Australian 6-Day rider Danny Clark, and World Professional Pursuit Champion Mike McCarthy have all won in Harlem.

A sure-to-be-wild messenger race, giant screen live TV, great food, music, and world-class bicycle racing all await the public in Harlem this Father’s Day.

The 35th Annual Skyscraper Classic is promoted by Manhattan-based Sparta Cycling, Inc., in association with Skyscraper Productions.

Century Road Club Association, Toga Bike Shop and Metro Bicycles provide technical assistance.
For more information please go to www.harlemrocks.com

About Rock Racing:
Rock Racing is an eclectic team of powerful, world-class athletes who are redefining professional cycling through incredible teamwork and a flamboyant flair never before seen in the pro peloton. Created in 2007 and sponsored by Rock & Republic CEO and Head Designer Michael Ball, the team rapidly became a fan favorite through its thrilling racing action, cunning tactics and winning tradition. It also redefined the look of the pro cycling team uniform with jerseys and shorts that seemingly changed from race to race. In 2008, Rock Racing hits the road with a singular vision: to be the No. 1 cycling team in the United States. The team competes in UCI and USA Cycling-sanctioned races on both the road and track and will be represented at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Additionally, Rock Racing sponsors successful women’s and junior racing teams that are making headlines on a local level and paving the way for a bright future for the sport.
About Saab

Saab is a division of General Motors Corp. Saab Automobile USA is the importer and/or distributor of Saab 9-3, 9-5 and 9-7X automobiles for Saab Automobile AB, Sweden. As of the 2008 model year, all Saabs have XM Satellite Radio and OnStar as standard equipment. Additionally, all new Saabs have a 3-year/36,000-mile No-Charge Scheduled Maintenance and the Saab 5-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty. . Visit www.saabusa.com for more information.

About WCSN
World championship Sports Network (WCSN) is the premier destination for fans of Olympic and lifestyle sports, delivering an immersive experience via exclusive live and on demand coverage of world class competitions, interaction with top athletes and in depth access to sports news and information year round.

WCSN offers comprehensive coverage of over 60 sports disciplines, through exclusive long term programming agreements across a number of key International Federations and National Governing bodies. Major championship events in sports ranging from Track & Field, Skiing, Swimming, Gymnastics and Cycling to Volleyball, Karate and Tae Kwon Do are featured online at WCSN.com and on television via WCSN’s 24/7 cable sports network. WCSN also markets Olympic sports in partnership with International Federations, National Governing Bodies, local organizations, clubs, sponsors, and through related websites and publications.

About US CRITS
USA CRITS National Criterium Series has been developed to feature a brand of cycling unique to the United States, the criterium. Criteriums are historically run on short laps through city streets. They offer spectators the opportunity to watch Olympians, world and national champions up-close as they ride at top speed. This has made the criterium format the most spectator-friendly form of cycling entertainment. Events on the USA CRITS series have the ideals that have made criterium racing an American legacy: Challenging courses that showcase arts and entertainment districts; a large and energized base of spectators; broad community support; and strong marketing opportunities for sponsors. For more information visit www.usacrits.com

About Sparta Cycling
Sparta Cycling creates world-class bicycle races. Sparta events meet the needs of sponsors, racing teams, spectators and supporting communities. Areas of expertise include course and technical design, sponsor development, media and publicity. Additionally, Sparta Cycling organizes live television productions of cycling events. For more information visit www.spartacycling.com